MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon. Someone remind me at the end, and
I'll do the week ahead for next week.

Okay, let me go through the President's day, and then we'll jump
right into questions. The President began this morning with a phone
call to Prime Minister Berlusconi. The purpose of the call was to talk
about reconstruction in Afghanistan. There's some upcoming discussions
about financial assistance for Afghanistan. The President asked Prime
Minister Berlusconi, in Italy's role as President of the European
Union, to call on other European countries to increase and accelerate
financial support to Afghanistan. The President also thanked the Prime
Minister for Italy's support to reconstruction in Iraq, as well.

Then the President participated in his usual briefings this
morning. He has been in contact with various members of his senior
staff, as well, and he is spending the rest of the day at the ranch,
tending to official business and enjoying spending some time at home.

And with that, I will jump right into whatever questions you have.

Q Scott, the deadline passed for the Senate Intelligence
Committee's request for White House and other cooperation on the --
Iraq intelligence probe. Can you tell what you have done, in terms of
cooperation with that request, and whether you intend any further
actions?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, we have been working with and assisting
the Senate Intel Committee, and we will continue to do so. We are
talking with them about their request, and we will continue working
with them. We previously, even though the committee has no
jurisdiction over the White House, we previously have made NSC staff
members available and provided access to relevant documents to help
committee investigators. And we will continue working with them as
they move forward.

Q There was one staff member mentioned in particular, but not
by name, as somebody they wanted made available. Will you make that
person available? Is it Bob Joseph, by any chance?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, that's why -- we just received this request
late yesterday. And we have been working with and assisting the Senate
Intelligence Committee as they move forward on the review of
intelligence in Iraq. And we will continue to do so. We are talking
with them and we will continue to talk with them about their latest
request.

Go ahead, Suzanne.

Q The President has said that Saddam Hussein is no longer a
threat, that he has been removed. And you're aware of the reports that
cite other senior administration officials saying he may play a larger
role in some of these attacks against Americans in Iraq. Can you tell
us if those reports are credible?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, I think you need to talk to the military
in the region about who is responsible for recent attacks. We know
that there are remnants of the former regime that are in the country,
as well as foreign terrorists who have entered the country who seek to
stop the progress that we are making, who seek to spread fear and chaos
among the Iraqi people. They target innocent civilians, they target the
Iraqi people, and they target international aid workers. It's hard to
tell, as Dr. Rice said yesterday, what exactly his role would be, if
any. Saddam Hussein is in a survival mode. He is no longer in power,
he has been removed from power. His regime is no longer in power. And
it's just a matter of time before he is brought to justice, as well as
other remnants of the regime.

Q So do you believe he has the ability to organize or
orchestrated in any way some of these attacks that have occurred?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, I think Dr. Rice said it's hard to
tell what role, if any, he'd be playing. You have to keep in mind that
Saddam Hussein is in a survival mode. He has been removed from power.
He no longer can carry out his mass tortures of the Iraqi people. He
no longer is in position to carry out the horrific acts against the
Iraqi people that he previously did.

And we will continue to pursue the remnants of the former regime
and the foreign terrorists who are in the country. Our military is
staying on the offensive. They're using targeted strikes, they're
quickly deploying to prevent attacks from happening. They're also
working to accelerate the involvement of the Iraqi people in their own
security. The Iraqi people are involved in the border patrol more and
more. They're involved in the police forces. Some 85,000 Iraqis are
already involved in the security of their own country. They're the
second largest contributor to the security of their country, next to
the United States. And we'll continue working with them to accelerate
our efforts. We'll continue to work to improve our intelligence
gathering, so that we can act on that intelligence, to prevent attacks
from happening in the first place.

Q Scott, is the President risking his political capital
campaigning in Mississippi and Kentucky tomorrow? And secondly, if he
wins those states, what impact will that have on his race in 2004, if
any?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the President looks forward to traveling to
both Kentucky and Mississippi tomorrow to help Republican candidates in
those states as they face election on this coming Tuesday. The
President strongly supports those who share his compassionate
conservative philosophy, those who are committed to improving education
and strengthening our economy and committed to reaching out to
faith-based groups to help people in need. So the President looks
forward to campaigning for candidates tomorrow in those states.

Q What about the notion that the President risks his political
capital by so actively inserting himself into these races?

MR. McCLELLAN: The President is proud to support the candidates in
these states as they are moving closer to election day on Tuesday. And
he will do whatever he can to help them win election on Tuesday.

Q -- Intelligence Committee>, if I may. Two things. First of
all, do you mind telling us who the staffer is that the Intel Committee
wants to speak with and they have not been able to get in touch with?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, I'm not sure of the exact request in
that regard that they've made. But let me be very clear, we are
working very closely with the Senate Intelligence Committee, we've have
been. We've provided them access to NSC staff members, we provided
them relevant documents related to information that they need, and we
will continue to do that. But I think it's best, versus doing this in
the media realm, that we continue to work closely with the committee to
address their concerns and address their requests, and that's what we
will continue to do.

Q The letter also seems to suggest that Dr. Rice and the White
House has been an impediment to the CIA's cooperation with the Intel
Committee. Is that the case? Have you barred the CIA from
participating and disclosing documents and the briefers? And, if so,
why? And, if not, will you encourage the CIA to participate in this
process?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, we have not objected to allowing the
committee to access -- to have access to CIA documents sent to the
White House. And, in fact, we have made copies of those documents
available to committee investigators previously, this past summer. So
that's why I say that we've been working with the committee, we'll
continue to do so. Obviously, this latest request came just late
yesterday. Despite the fact that they don't have jurisdiction over the
White House, we want to continue working with them to help them in
their work to review the intelligence relating to Iraq.

Q Back to the governors races. Does the President see any
connection between his successes of Republicans in these states and his
reelection next year? I mean, is this important for him to have these
at his back, as a win? And, also, is he planning to go to Louisiana --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, it's important for every candidate to
run their own race on their own credentials. But the President
strongly supports these candidates and wants to help them any way he
can to win this coming Tuesday. And that's why he's going to those
states to campaign on behalf of these candidates tomorrow.

Q Is he going to Louisiana?

MR. McCLELLAN: There's no trip scheduled to Louisiana. Are you
talking about in the next few days?

Q Well, there's a governor's race there, there, too. I mean,
does he plan to campaign with Jindal?

MR. McCLELLAN: Right, he has indicated -- and we've indicated his
support for Bobby Jindal in that race.

Q -- from campaigning with him?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, there's no update to the schedule on that.

Q Scott, is he going to California to survey the wild fires?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, when we come back to the week ahead at the
end. Let's get through the questions and I'll come back to the week
ahead, and we have some updates for you.

Q Another scheduling question. Do you see a partial birth
abortion bill signing in the very near future?

MR. McCLELLAN: That's in the week ahead, as well. Go ahead
Randy.

Q Scott, to what extent are the -- is the President's message
tomorrow likely to preview things of his own reelection campaign?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the President always talks about the
priorities of the American people, about what -- what we are doing at
home to create more jobs, as well as what we are doing abroad to make
the world a safer and better place. And he will continue to do so. He
will also talk about the importance of helping these candidates by
getting out to the polls and voting for them come Tuesday, because
these are people who share his compassionate conservative philosophy.

Q Does he think that his conduct on Iraq is a selling point, or
does he think that will help him win the election next year?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, there will be a time for campaigning,
as the President has said. Right now he is going to continue to focus
on his priorities. He addressed a little bit of that question the
other day. But, as I said, the President is moving forward. We have
had a good week on a number of fronts. We are working to make the
world a better and safer place. And we are also working at home to
strengthen our economic security for America's workers and families.
And we're making progress on all those fronts.

Q Back on Ben's question. Democrats in Kentucky are really
trying to tie job losses there and a Republican candidate to the
President. Does the President in any way view this race, in
particular, as a referendum on his reelection?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, the President is proud to go and support
Ernie Fletcher in his bid to become governor of Kentucky, and other
candidates in Kentucky, as well, I might add, that the President will
be going there, speaking for Republican candidates that are running in
the election on Tuesday. But, again, I emphasize that -- obviously
candidates run on their own credentials and their own agenda. But
these are candidates that share many of the President's priorities and
they share his compassionate conservative philosophy for the country,
so he's pleased to support them.

Q Scott, what's the status of the negotiations with the 9/11
commission over the access to the PDBs?

MR. McCLELLAN: There's no update. We continue to have discussions
with the commission to resolve those remaining issues. We are working
cooperatively with them, and we will continue to do so. It's very
important that if we can learn information leading up to September 11th
that will help us prevent future attacks, it's important that we learn
that information. That's why we support the work of the commission.
And the President has directed the administration to cooperate closely
with the commission.

Q Scott, was Condoleezza Rice trying to assign blame to
previous administrations for not addressing the --

MR. McCLELLAN: I think if you look at her remarks, she was talking
about the -- what September 11th taught us. It taught us that we must
confront dangers before they reach our shores. She pointed out some
facts about attacks that have been carried out on the -- carried out by
terrorists across the world, over the course of previous years. And
September 11th taught us that we must go on the offensive, take the
fight to the enemy, as the President is doing. And this is the only
way to defeat terrorists, is to go after them where they are and bring
them to justice and get them before they can carry out attacks here in
America.

Q Well, is that substantially different between what previous
administrations have done on terror and what this administration has
done previous to 9/11?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, was there what?

Q Did anything change between how previous administrations
handled terror and how this administration did, before --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, I'm talking about -- again, I'm
focusing on what we are doing and what the President is doing. The
President recognizes that the only way to win the war on terrorism is
to take the fight to the enemy. We can do everything at home to
strengthen our defenses, and we are working to do everything at home to
strengthen our defenses, but the best way and the only way to win the
war on terrorism is to go after the terrorists where they are. These
are people who have no regard for innocent life, they're enemies of
peace, they're enemies of freedom, and we are taking the battle to
them, and we are making great progress in that regard.

Q Just following up on Arash, if I may. The implication, it
seems to be in Dr. Rice's speech was that previous administrations did
not take the war to the terrorists and, therefore, it was a mistake on
their part not to have done so. Is it the administration's belief that
the previous policies were incorrect when it comes to terrorism?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, you all will make comparisons, I'm
sure. But what we're focused on is winning the war on terrorism. And
the way you win the war is by taking the fight to the enemy, doing what
the President is doing. We are waging a global war with countries all
across the world against terrorists. September 11th taught us that we
can no longer wait for those threats to gather and let them come to our
shores. We must confront them before they reach our shores, and that's
exactly what we are doing.

Q It is? Okay. Well, can you give me your reaction to the
fact that --

MR. McCLELLAN: Are we ready for the -- ready for the week ahead?

Q -- it's already being challenged, that there is now a
challenge in court to the bill. Any reaction to the fact that it's
already being challenged, even before the President signed it?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the President looks forward to signing the
legislation next week. This is an abhorrent procedure, and the
President has strongly supported banning partial birth abortion for a
long time. And he looks forward to -- he's pleased that it has finally
passed Congress and he looks forward to signing it next Tuesday -- I
believe next Wednesday, actually. I'll get to the week ahead in just a
second here. Go ahead, Mark.

Q Scott, why does the President feel it's all right for him to
involve himself in the Kentucky and Mississippi elections, but he's
stayed out of the recall vote in California?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well again, Mark, you had a unique situation there
in California where you had, what, 135 candidates on the ballot. It
wasn't broken down into parties. There were a number of candidates
running. And he now looks forward to working with Governor-elect
Schwarzenegger as he assumes his new role. And they had a very good
meeting recently. But he looks forward to going to help Republican
candidates in these two states tomorrow.

Week ahead? One more? Two more. Go ahead.

Q Given that the President campaigned against -- to change
culture in Washington, and Haley Barbour being sort of a quintessential
insider -- Washington insider, is there any conflict there, in terms of
the President supporting Haley Barbour for governor?

MR. McCLELLAN: The President's pleased to support his candidacy.
As I said, I see someone who shares the President's conservative
philosophy and someone who's committed to improving education and
strengthening our economy, just like the President is.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think you need to direct those questions to
the IAEA. It was their deadline, and I think they've made some
comments on it. Obviously, it's going to take some time to review
everything. But make no mistake about it, Iran needs to come clean and
fully comply with its international obligations. And that is our --
that is our position, and remains our position.

Q -- a preview of any information that's in those documents?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, at this point, I think the IAEA is reviewing
the information that they received to see if Iran is meeting its
commitments and following through on what it said it would do to the
European leaders who were in Iran recently.

Q On the economy, there's finally recently been some good news
for the administration to talk about. Are there plans to have various
officials, spokes people, go out, travel around the country to talk
about this in the next few days, week ahead?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know what you mean, "plans."
Administration officials are always doing that, talking about -- the
highest domestic priority is strengthening our economy. And our
economy continues to grow stronger. The President is optimistic about
the direction that it is moving.

But he is not satisfied because there are people who are still
looking for work who cannot find a job. And the President believes
that there is more to do to continue strengthening our economy and
creating an environment for strong and robust job creation. There are
a number of positive signs, yesterday's GDP numbers being some of the
most recent, housing starts up, interest rates low, after-tax income is
up, high productivity, new business orders are up. The tax relief that
the President advocated in the past is working. But there is more to
do. And that's why he'll continue moving forward on his six-point
plan.

Q I guess what I had in mind is Elaine Chao and others, like,
taking bus trips to talk about the economy. Are there plans to really,
kind of, get this message out?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't have any special new initiative on that
front to announce. But those members of the economic team will
continue talking about this highest of priorities and continue pressing
the President's priorities, to act on his six-point plan.

Anything else? Week ahead? Week ahead. Some of this has been
previously announced. On Monday, the President will travel to Alabama,
and in Birmingham he will make remarks on the economy. Then he will
attend a Bush-Cheney 2004 luncheon. The President will return to
Crawford and remain overnight in Crawford on Monday.

On Tuesday, the President plans to travel to California to view the
fire damage and receive an update on our efforts to assist the people
of America. I would just point out that the plans are still subject to
change, depending upon circumstances in California. But that is our
plan at this point.

Q Where, exactly?

MR. McCLELLAN: We'll get you more details. We're working on those
details. On Wednesday, the President will meet with the President of
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and he will sign the Partial
Birth Abortion Act of 2003, and that will be at the Ronald Reagan
Building in Washington.

Then on Thursday, November 6th, the President makes remarks at the
20th Anniversary of the National Endowment for Democracy, at the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, and then he will make remarks and present the
National Medals of Science and Technology in the East Room at the White
House.

Then on Friday, November 7th, the President attends the Bush-Cheney
2004 luncheon in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and then he makes
remarks on the economy in North Carolina following that, as well. And
that's all I've got.

Q Scott, what happens Tuesday, after California?

MR. McCLELLAN: Then we will return to Washington.

Q -- or just the pool?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?

Q Full press --

MR. McCLELLAN: We're still working on all those details. There
will be different parts to this, but, again, it depends on
circumstances in California. But the plan is to travel there on
Tuesday.